Cargo Description: The Ariel was large enough to carry twenty to thirty passengers.

Propulsion Type: sail

Number of Masts: 3

Rig Type: schooner

Vessel

Location

Body of Water: Lake Geneva

County: Walworth

Vessel

Builder

Builder: Phillip D. Marshall

Year Built: 1843

Location Built: Lake Geneva, WI

Owners: Estabrook

Home Port: Lake Geneva, WI

Service History

The schooner was built in Michigan then sailed to Milwaukee by Philip Marshall and his family. Estabrook convinced Marshall to bring the Ariel to Lake Geneva. It was hauled across land then launched. Many times the passengers were called to use setting poles in order to propel the ship due to the lack of wind.
The Ariel was the first craft of her size to ply the waters of Lake Geneva.

Final Voyage

In late May of 1851 heavy rains caused the earthen dam, which had been built across the outlet to the lake, to break, causing a surge of water through the lake and creating a deep gorge. The lake level dropped eight feet. This force swept the Ariel downstream several miles, where it was badly damaged and broken. The Ariel was left there to rot. The exact location of this ship is unknown.